Retrospective cohort study of socioeconomic disparities in incidence and survival of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in Sweden

A nationwide retrospective cohort study in Sweden investigated the association of socioeconomic status with incidence, treatment, and survival of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). Compared to individuals in the high household income quartile, those in the low income quartiel had higher incidence ratios of all stages (IR 1.32; 95% CI 1.15-1.52) and late-stage (1.46; 1.17-1.81) iCCA. Low income was associated with lower odds of receiving systemic therapy (aOR 0.54; 95% CI 0.38-0.77) and higher mortality among those treated (aHR 1.34; 95% CI 1.09-1.65). The authors conclude that despite universal health care access, substantial socioeconomic disparities persist in the incidence, treatment, and outcomes of iCCA in Sweden.